Why does sunscreen burn my eyes?

What should I do if sunscreen gets in my eyes?

Flush the affected eye with water as soon as you can. Sunscreen belongs on the skin around your eyes, not in the eyes themselves. Do not apply more sunscreen into the eye to replace what you rinsed away; protect the surrounding skin separately.24

How can I stop sunscreen getting into my eyes?

1. 1Choose a sunscreen stick for the skin around your eyes to help prevent dripping. Look for SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, and water resistance.
2. 2Apply sunscreen carefully to the surrounding skin, keeping the product out of your eyes. Most sunscreens can be used on and around the eyelids, but that delicate area deserves a formula chosen for sensitive skin.
3. 3Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. Never spray sunscreen directly onto your face, and follow the directions for your particular product.
4. 4Reapply at least every two hours outdoors, and more often when swimming or sweating. Follow the label's water resistance and reapplication directions.
5. 5Add sunglasses with 100% UV protection or UV400 on the label, plus a wide brimmed hat. Larger lenses or wraparound frames cover more of the eye area.

A stick makes application less messy, which is a useful achievement for a product normally asked to travel by fingertip.2

Which sunscreen should I try instead?

A mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is a good option for the sensitive eye area. If dripping is the problem, choose a stick format as well. The formula and the format address different concerns: sensitive skin and keeping sunscreen where you applied it.12

Both mineral and chemical sunscreens protect skin primarily by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. Choosing mineral sunscreen here is about suitability for sensitive skin, not needing a different kind of sun protection. Keep SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance on your shopping checklist.16

Water resistance does not mean a sunscreen will stay put indefinitely. Labels specify 40 or 80 minutes of water resistance during swimming or sweating. Water resistant sunscreen eventually washes off, so the label has not abolished water.5

Does eye stinging mean I am allergic?

Stinging after sunscreen enters the eye is not the same as an allergic skin reaction. Sunscreen allergy can cause contact dermatitis, an inflamed skin rash where the product was applied, sometimes spreading elsewhere. The trigger can be a sunscreen filter, fragrance, preservative or another ingredient, rather than sunscreen as a whole.3

If you develop a rash or repeatedly react to sunscreens, speak with a dermatologist about identifying the ingredient. Medical patch testing can identify an allergy; testing with light exposure is sometimes needed too. Discuss home allergy testing with your doctor first. A product that does not cause an allergic reaction can still irritate skin.3

Why does sunscreen burn my face?

If sunscreen stings the skin itself, try a fragrance free formula whose sunscreen filters are only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sensitive skin and sunscreen allergy are not interchangeable: if a particular ingredient causes an allergy, avoid that ingredient across products rather than changing only the brand.13

Sunburn itself can also make facial skin sting. If your face is sunburned, get out of the sun, use cool baths or showers, and apply a moisturizer containing aloe vera or soy while the skin is damp. Keep protecting the skin with shade, clothing and suitable sunscreen rather than leaving it exposed.7